JenJ
Well-Known Member
Having been cat less for 6 months or so, I leapt at the chance of a long term catsit for someone who is moving overseas. I met the cat a few weeks ago (an 8yo ragdoll boy) and though he wasn't friendly with me, I could see he was fine with his owner and was assured that it just took him time to get used to people. One of my previous cats was nervous with strangers so I wasn't concerned.
He arrived at my house last night, a little bit upset and grumpy from the car journey. I was a little alarmed that he was hissing and striking out at anyone who went near him, including his owner, but figured he was just very unsettled. I left him shut in the living room overnight with food, water, litter tray and bedding, but when I came downstairs this morning he was still hissing and striking out at me.
Left him with the living room and basement to roam in whilst I was at work, which included access to his toys and scratching posts. Came home and he's still clearly unhappy with people around, hissing and striking out.
I'm just wondering what to do for the best. I'm quite happy to just be patient, let him get used to me and the house before trying to make friends with him (I'm opening up one extra room at a time), but I don't want to find that having left him in peace for a couple of weeks I should actually have been handling him from the start.
He is definitely a one person cat, though does tolerate attention from regular visitors once he's got used to them.
I'm currently sat on a chair by the living room door whilst he's sat behind the curtains on the windowsill. I've been talking to him on and off for an hour to get him used to my voice and presence. I can hear him hissing abd growling periodically.
Am I doing the right thing? I know it's only been 24 hours, and I'm not panicking just yet, I just want him to feel settled and comfortable in my home, ideally in my presence too! Would feliway help at all?
He arrived at my house last night, a little bit upset and grumpy from the car journey. I was a little alarmed that he was hissing and striking out at anyone who went near him, including his owner, but figured he was just very unsettled. I left him shut in the living room overnight with food, water, litter tray and bedding, but when I came downstairs this morning he was still hissing and striking out at me.
Left him with the living room and basement to roam in whilst I was at work, which included access to his toys and scratching posts. Came home and he's still clearly unhappy with people around, hissing and striking out.
I'm just wondering what to do for the best. I'm quite happy to just be patient, let him get used to me and the house before trying to make friends with him (I'm opening up one extra room at a time), but I don't want to find that having left him in peace for a couple of weeks I should actually have been handling him from the start.
He is definitely a one person cat, though does tolerate attention from regular visitors once he's got used to them.
I'm currently sat on a chair by the living room door whilst he's sat behind the curtains on the windowsill. I've been talking to him on and off for an hour to get him used to my voice and presence. I can hear him hissing abd growling periodically.
Am I doing the right thing? I know it's only been 24 hours, and I'm not panicking just yet, I just want him to feel settled and comfortable in my home, ideally in my presence too! Would feliway help at all?
(mostly - eeek to the multiple hospitalisations!)
